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BUENA VISTA 
WINDOWS 



BV 

JANE LIPPITT PATTERSON 



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JAMES H. WEST CO., PUB- 
LISHERS, BOSTON, MASS. . 






Press of James H. West Co., Boston 

1899 



By trj»nsf«»r 
The White House 



C V 

t < c 



TO THE 

LIVING FAITH AND SERVING LOVE 

OF THE 

THESE VERSES 

THE GROWTHS OF FAMILIAR ATMOSPHERE 

ARE GRATEFULLY DEDICATED 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

BuENA Vista Windows 9 

The Old Roxbury Church 25 

The Corner-Stone 33 

Hymn 41 

Roxbury Church 45 

Saint Mary's Message , . 55 



Buena Vista Windows 




Buena Vista Windows 

THE restful shadows of a church I 
sought. 
Built on a hill — for my heart's need 
was great. 
The harvester with sickle keen had sat 
Close by my door, and ripened sheaves he 

claimed 
From my rich field, leaving my hunger 

nought 
On which to feed, of all youth's seasons 

brought. 
Or home's first love in childish accents 
named. 



Buena Vista Windows 



The hills give strength. Great kingly words 

so prove. 
And looking tov\^ard their sunlit slopes, some 

power 
To gird may steal into the life, before 
All weak, irresolute. And better still 
If a Christian temple lift its spire above 
The firm, strong crest. What waiting hands 

of love 
To bind, to feed, on this fair Zion's Hill ? 



And so I sought the shadows ; sat me down 

With other hungry spuls, and bowed my 
head 

To ask what I came seeking. Then, in- 
stead 

Of shadows, lo ! a tremulous light stole 
through 

lO 



Buena Vista Windows 



The church, and, pendent like a waiting 

crown. 
Above the altar all its glow made known. 
And held my lifted eyes in transport new. 



Was it light, or thought, or heart-beat, 

holding so 
My gazing eyes ? Transfiguration, or the 

voice 
Once heard o'er Jordan's waters ? To 

rejoice 
Seemed the right atmosphere. Yes, thought, 

love, Hght, 
Like arrows, pierced the mask of brooding 

woe. 
Commanding it depart — as long ago 
The demons heard and hastened out of 

sight. 

II 



Buena Vista Windows 



Like one new-shriven of sins not yet so 

named. 
But felt in weights, unrest and weariness, 
I tarried a whole hour in this high 

stress ; 
Then turned to view what earthly Paradise 
In light and color round my being flamed 
And all the passing congregation framed, — 
And Buena Vista Windows met mv eves. 



jf 



Rich grapes of Eschol, symbol and fore- 
taste 

Of meanings larger than the Prophet 
dreamed. 

In tempting clusters where the sunHght 
streamed, 

12 



Buena Vista Windows 



Spoke with the Prophet's accents once 

again : 
** Ho ! ye, among life's desen sands who 

waste 
The pregnant years, to living waters haste ; 
Oh, come and be refreshed, ye sons ot 

men!" 



Soft, tremulous light my eager vision 

meets ; 
When, lo ! a courier irom the King ot 

kings. 
Heaven's wondrous promise borne on 

siiow>- wings. 
Pauses a maiden's throbbing heart anear. 
With emphasis divine the word repeats. 



Buena Vista Windows 



While blushing beauty angel grace entreats. 
And countless worlds that promise list to 
hear. 



^ 



Revealing faces every thought uplift. 
Madonna and the babe, in orient glow. 
O'er fields of light their matchless beauty 

show. 
And kingdoms pale where Love is born 

the King. 
The silver stars bend near, and through 

the rift 
Made ample by the Virgin's heaven-sent 

gift. 
Angels descending tune their harps and 

sing. 

14 



Buena Vista Windows 



And now a vision of wondrous majesty — 
Doctor and mitred Priest stern-faced and 

wise ; 
Before them, questioning with innocent 

eyes, 
A lad his anxious mother missed and 

sought. 
Who answers — though in Law and History 
Master of all his nation's learning he — 
The lad's uplifted brow and luminous 

thought ? 



^ 



With face compassionate, caressing arms. 
Stands the Good Shepherd. On his heart 

at rest, 
A lamb the wolves have chased in murder- 
ous quest, 

IS 



Buena Vista Windows 



And fright of wilderness to shelter driven. 
Man, weak, and wounded by uncounted 

harms. 
Trembling and doubting from the world's 

alarms. 
In this clear symbol sees his sins forgiven. 



jT 



Faith's horoscope ! Twelve men in radiant 

guise. 
With faces resolute and serious mien, 
Jesus the Christ standing midway between. 
As though to hold his own by love's strong 

band. 
Far-reaching prophecies are in his eyes. 
And on his lips his mission's great apprise, 
'* Go preach my truth to all, in every 

land!" 

i6 



Buena Vista Windows 



What glory hides earth's deepest shadow 
now ! 

The tomb - door folding Calvary's pain 
swings wide. 

And Christ the Lord, on Friday crucified. 

Stands in transfigured life on Sunday morn. 

Mary, love's token 'neath her radiant 
brow. 

And John belov'd, bear hence the witness- 
vow. 

Men listen and abate their doubt . and 
scorn. 



^ 



Onward the tidings fly. Whole kingdoms ^ 

kneel 
And pay their homage to the risen Lord. 

17 



Buena Vista Windows 



Even Rome the imperial sheathes her 

blood-red sword. 
And blind Judea listens. Her great son. 
The persecutor, with his fiery zeal. 
Sees light above the noon, hears Christ's 

appeal. 
Wins victories for his Lord none else has 

won. 



^ 



Promise and prophecy come crowding 

here ! 
The Comforter, with dove-wings raying 

Hght, 
The rose, the passion-flower, the Hly white 
Wreathing the cross ; Peace hastening to 

all lands ; 

r8 



Buena Vista Windows 

While Faith, in symbol anchor starry 
clear. 

And witnessing angels robed in gold, ap- 
pear. 

And all the house a mount transfigured 
stands. 



1^ 



I seek the door, my soul a censer fine 
Aflame with incense. But, arrest once 

more ! 
And I am chained beside the outer door. 
The crowning glory for the heart bereft 
In the vestibule upHfts its purple shrine. 
And the sure Comforter in words divine 
Illumes the hour when Joseph's tomb he 

left. 

19 



Buena Vista Windows 



On Patmos' Isle His Revelator stands. 

With face upturned, with attitude in- 
tent. 

The seer's clear vision on the heavens 
bent. 

While one hand clasps the book that 'scape 
no word 

Of the God-sent message. People of all 
lands ^ 

Hush while he listens ! Behold the happy 
bands 

Unveiled by prophet-pen, — the Spirit's 
sword ! — 

** I heard a voice from heaven saying, 

' Write, 
Blessed are they who henceforth in the 

Lord, 

20 



Buena Vista Windows 



Illumined by his resurrection word. 
Shall die. Hunger no more, nor thirst, 

nor sun 
With scorching heat, nor deluge rains, 

shall blight ; 
But He who found life's throne beyond 

death's night 
Shall lead and feed, while endless ages 



run.' " 



^ 



The hill, so grandly crowned, its help 

had given, — 
No hurt, nor doubt, to cloud the onward 

tread 
Of living love to green tents of the 

dead : 

21 



Buena Vista Windows 



For, lo ! Immortal Life had been un- 
sealed ! 

And reverent souls, following these signs, 
faith-riven. 

The glory of color caught from dreams of 
heaven. 

In Buena Vista Windows see God's Love 
revealed. 




22 



The Old Roxhury Church 




The Old Roxbury Church 

Burned January zj, i8g4 

**|T lived the years oi a man," one 

I said. 

Yes, the years of a man, and more ; 
The silver shimmer about its head 

Was the halo of seventy-four. 

Those men of faith, did they ever dream 
When brace and pillar they hewed. 



25 



Thf Old Rcxhury Church 

Wnen thev shaped the rzrter 2z:i .iiz : 
beam 
Ari :J:e n-ame at ihe lemple vievred,- 



WheD ihev cJosed it in wiA tgk£ and 



i _-iv.w 



tkraH 
Ani "e kizi^;iy ^xiit's ^oest, — 



if.; t:::- iz.- --:rtr^r " "-^ev wroaglit. 
And. it :z;_t~ iver :j:e frid Jiooae song 
Bv ir £r~ 1 1 1 idw - ''.~ r z*e tanffh" r 



26 



The Old Roxbury Church 

Through the even flow of the happy years 
Thar measured this hoar\- pile. 

No drip of a vengefiil prophet's tears 
Reaches the ear meanwhile. 

The brave and noble of vanished davs 

To the ampfe shelter throng. 
And the voices bearing ihe -^I heart's praise 

Are tuned to an ^ t strong. 

Sages crowned with the snows of time 
On its throne of thought have stood ; 

Youth, with the zeal of its hopefid prime. 
Has wrought with the great and good. 

And they who followed, and they who led 
To the waters heavenlv clear. 



The Old Roxbury Church 

On love's immortal manna fed 
With never a thought of fear. 

It came as the avi^ful crash of doom j 
And our hearts beat sad and low 

As the blackened walls of our Zion loom 
O'er the white of the winter snow. 

In many a city and hamlet far 

Where the bitter tidings fly. 
The guiding rays of the vanished star 

Have lighted the morning sky 

Of men of faith and women strong 
Who the world's best thinking mould. 

And their true lives make a triumph-song 
As Miriam did of old. 



28 



The Old Roxbury Church 

O shrine of a countless multitude 
On earth and in heavenly ways. 

For righteousness thy walls have stood ; 
Thy gates were gates of praise ! 

And these shall live ! For souls have caught 

The everlasting flame 
Kept burning on thy throne of thought 

In Christ's immortal name. 




29 



The Corner- Stone 




The Corner -Stone 

THE Church of God in every zone. 
By all the tongues of men con- 
fessed. 
Upon the living Corner -Stone — 

The Christ of Nazareth — firmly rests. 

Yet men who build their living faith 
In temples for Jehovah's praise. 

Lay symbol corner-stones beneath 
The lofty towers which they upraise. 



33 



'The Corner-Stone 



Here, sealed for ages yet to be. 

Are records of the time, the thought. 

When boundless faith's heroic plea 

With love's desire in grandeur wrought. 



^ 



***Come, show me the place 
Where the corner-stone shall be laid 
Of the church to fill, by its matchless grace. 
The void which the fire-fiend made ! 

** The street I do not know. 
Named for a Mexic town. 
Where the fruitfiil apple-orchards grow 
Which the builders must cut down." 

* Mrs. William Curtis. 



34 



'The Corner-Stone 



So we rode along the way. 

Busy and danger-sown. 

Seeking the spot where our faith shall 

lay 
Its symbol, the corner-stone. 

And, lo ! waist-deep in earth. 

His hand upon the spade, 

A man who had his mortal birth 

Ere the old church stones were laid ! ^ 

We hailed him standing there. 
The spade in his good right hand ; 
He answered with the reverent air 
Of a doer of God's command. 

* Joseph Hastings. 
35 



I^he Corner-Stone 



*^I watched," said he, '* for this hour. 

For I wished to dig, alone. 

The spot where the church shall build its 

tower 
Over the corner-stone. 

*' Child, and youth, and man. 

Until now I am nigh four-score, 

I went where my soul's true life began. 

To the old church's open door. 

** Now, each day, I shall come. 

Watching the workmen here. 

Till I make of the good new house my 

home, 
Tamiliar and heavenly dear. 



36 



The Corner-Stone 



** So I plant in the earth my gift. 

The gift on this hopeful day 

Of the love and faith which my heart 

uplift. 
As I dig where the stone shall lay." 



^ 



The street which bears the Mexic name. 
And even the prostrate orchard-tree. 

Faith, kindled to heroic flame. 

In this man's living works can see. 

And our dear church, in ages hoar. 

The honored name and deed shall own 

Of him whose valor at four-score 
Made room to lay its corner-stone. 



17 



Hymn 




G 



Hymn 

Laying the Corner Stone 

OD of our fathers ! whom to know 
Is life eternal, come, we pray. 

And by thy love's transfiguring glow 
Baptize our symbol rites to-day. 



Thy guidance in the past we see. 

Thy changeless truth, thy pitying grace. 

And Faith would bring her gift to thee 
Whose glory fills all time, all space. 



41 



Hymn. 

Oh, may the walls which here shall rise 
Cemented close from base to dome. 

The strength and union symbolize 

Of those who make thy house their 
home. 

So shall thy Spirit's quickening power 
Here, as a central light, be known. 

And men and angels bless the hour 
We laid in faith our corner-stone. 




42 



Roxbury Church 




Roxbury Church 

Read at the Seventy- Fifth Anniversary 



T 



HE Prophets of our sacred past 
In swift succession come and go ; 

Their words the flying years outlast. 
Borne on by life's resistless flow. 



On Zion's towers we see the light 
Revealing love's eternal sway. 

And where were shadows of the night 
The dawn of faith's triumphant day. 



45 



Roxbury Church 



In countless hearts their praise is sung 
Whom God has. made his messengers,- 

The sandaled i^^ty the flaming tongue. 
The names enrolled among the stars. 



But who like Miriam shall stand 
Beside old wrong's divided flood. 

And speak for the enfranchised band 
Who once in night of bondage stood ? 



The grand procession of the years 

That thronged the Temple's shining 
ways. 

And built, with reverent prayers and tears. 
The Prophet's words in lives of praise ? 



46 



Roxbury Church 



Strong men of truth no bribe could reach. 
No sophist's tinsel breath could move. 

Brave to endure, in patience teach 
The victory of Immortal Love ? 



Their unsealed eyes new worlds beheld. 
The Palestine of hopes untold ; 

And, as in wondrous days of eld. 

They drank its streams and mined its 
gold. 



They reaped, and passed its harvests on. 
Increased, as faithful servants may. 

From year to year, from sire to son. 
And filled our granaries to-day. 



47 



Roxbury Church 



Beside these men of stalwart truth 

Fair women wrought in countless ways 

They gleaned the harvest-fields like Ruth, 
Like Miriam sang Jehovah's praise. 



And never, where the curtains hung 
O'er Hebrew tent or round its door. 

Or tinkling bells in concert swung 
When mitred Priest his ephod wore. 



Was finer needlework displayed 
Or incense costlier outpoured 

'Than these true hearts in reverence laid 
Upon the altar of the Lord. 



48 



Roxbury Church 



They filled the treasury o'er and o'er 
When days were drear and lights burned 
low. 

Home's prudent ways their only store 
Love's flame in grateful deeds to show. 



And by the altar-fire, apart 

From the cold world's distracting gaze. 
Unfailing strength for hand and heart 

They found, in all life's toilsome ways. 



They prayed and wrought in full accord 
With the soul-currents deep and high 

Which fed our Temple of the Lord 

Through five-and-seventy years gone by.^ 



49 



Roxbury Church 



And when in smouldering ruin lay 
The sacred shrine our fathers blest. 

With tearful eyes they looked away 
In search of fairer hills of rest. 



Their names in fadeless glory blaze ; 

And while our house of God endures 
Its radiant walls shall speak their praise 

Whose work this crown of hope ensures. 



The church whose stones with jewels 
shine 

No tide of time can e'er remove. 
Built from the soul's exhaustless mine 

Of living faith and serving love. 



50 



Roxbury Church 



Then, hail ! and crown the coming days 
With glory greater than the past ! 

Your lives a hymn of noblest praise 
Inspired by words the years outlast ! 




Saint Mary's Message 




Saint Mary's Message 

Read at the Church Reunion in l8gj 

THE dawn with wavering shadows 
gray 
O'er Hebron's height and Zion's 
towers 
Led silently the promised day 

Whose bells should strike immortal hours : 

When softly, from her sleepless room. 
Saint Mary sped in tearful guise. 

Her sisters following, in the gloom ^ 

Of hearts bereft and blinded eyes. 



55 



Saint Mary's Message 



Their feet the springing grasses pressed. 
Their robes the Hly's fragrance stirred. 

The eaves where hung the swallows' nest 
Low-bending sorrow's breathings heard. 



The swallows chirped, and dreamed again ; 

Not yet the hour for matin hymn : 
'Tis they who watch in grief and pain 

The night-dews kiss in shadows dim. 



Saint Mary knew the rocky pass 
Beneath the olive's gratefiil shade ; 

Over against its gloom, alas ! 

She had watched while safe the tomb 
was made. 



56 



Saint Mary's Message 



This tomb the matchless form concealed 
Of him whose daily walk and word 

So nobly love's true life revealed 

That men in gladness called him Lord. 



To lay the emblems of love's gain 
About his sacred feet once more. 

Saint Mary, over leagues of pain. 

Through drifts of gloom, her treasure 
bore. 



And when she neared the olive's shade. 
All bowed with sorrow's crushing fears, 

A blinding light her anguish stayed, 

A ray of hope shot through her tears. -* 



57 



Saint Mary's Message 



** Fear not!" she heard the angel say, — 
Her listening spirit caught the word, — 

** Fear not ! new light breaks on the way 
Of him who seeks the risen Lord. 

** Go quickly, tell his fleeing friends 
The living Christ goes on before. 

Through time, to earth's remotest ends. 
Through death to life's immortal shore." 

She ran, — this woman, — joy -impelled. 
Her sisters following swiftly on. 

When, lo ! her happy eyes beheld 

The Lord's face lighting all the dawn I 

He spoke again the fearless word 

Saint Mary bore embalmed in myrrh. 



58 



Saint Mary s Message 



As round his feet the grasses stirred 
Where knelt his waiting messenger. 

Then on from prayer she sped, upborne 
By hopes which earthly shadows flee. 

And preached the resurrection -morn 
To all the twelve in Galilee. 

Saint Mary's message, angel-given. 

Baptized anew by Christ's own word. 

Comes down the centuries sorrow-riven. 
Earth's wailing hearts with hope to gird. 

Prophets and leaders come and go. 

Lover and friend death's shadows chill. 

But never change his word can know 
Who in his church abideth still. 



59 



Saint Mary's Message 



The dawn is past, the matin sung ; 

High noon comes o'er the hills apace ; 
And, nestling airs of Spring among. 

The Easter lilies find their grace. 

And fed by dews Christ's love distils. 
The Marys live to speak his word. 

To bear the light from heavenly hills. 
And run on errands for the Lord. 




60 



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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

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